10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day. The theme this year is ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’.
This means making a systematic change, maintaining momentum behind the shift from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support. Employers need to prioritise mental health, increase access to support and create a supportive workplace culture from the top down.
To help you prepare both yourself and work colleagues, we’ve collated resources and recommendations from three different sources.*
It’s OK to use the word “suicide“
Awareness that we don’t want to approach talking about suicide insensitively can sometimes put people off broaching the topic at all.
Whilst acknowledging that there is no substitute for professional support when an individual has suicidal thoughts, Christine Husbands, commercial director of nurse-led support organisation RedArc, urges the importance of being open to support others with their mental health to prevent issues from escalating. She lists a few things to keep in mind when offering support,
1. Listen
Just being listened to can be a great relief for those struggling with their mental health. So asking open questions is important to encourage the individual to talk and be honest about how they are feeling. Similarly, it’s important to give the conversation time to develop as it can take a while for the individual to fully open up. It’s also important to take their issues seriously and not to judge their mindset or situation.
2. It’s OK to use the word ‘suicide’
There is no need to skirt around the subject of suicide. It’s okay to use the word, and it won’t make it more likely that someone will act on their thoughts.
3. Professional support
Finding professional support is an important next step which may initially be via the individual’s GP or via added-value services embedded into employee benefits, insurance, cashplans or affinity group memberships. Nobody plans to need mental health support, so it is important that support is communicated clearly so that people know what is available and how to access it when their situation necessitates it.
4. Prevention
Suicide can be prevented. Clinically trained mental health practitioners are best positioned to offer support before people get to that stage. They have the professional knowledge and resources available, such as arranging specialist support, signposting to help, or recommending the most appropriate therapy.
Anyone could find themselves providing emotional support to someone who is in distress, however it is essential that the emergency services are alerted if there is a concern about harm to the individual or others.
New resource launched for employers to provide support
Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) has launched a new Suicide Postvention resource.
The term ‘suicide postvention’ refers to the actions taken by an organisation to provide effective support in a sensitive manner after a death by suicide. It aims to promote recovery and prevent further adverse outcomes.
This new SOM resource, authored by Professor Gail Kinman and Professor Neil Greenberg, provides evidence-informed guidance and recommendations for organisations to respond to the death by suicide of a colleague, or the unexpected death of a colleague from other causes. The guidance draws on high-quality sources from research and practice and was developed through consultation with experts from various fields. It aims to help organisations navigate the complexities and sensitivities involved in such tragic events, ensuring they provide the support required to maintain a healthy and compassionate workplace.
The resource should be useful for occupational health practitioners, wellbeing leads, HR professionals, managers, and policy makers. It addresses several important issues in the aftermath of a workplace death by suicide, such as immediate response approaches, communication protocols, support mechanisms for affected individuals, and long-term considerations for fostering a supportive work environment.
World Suicide Prevention Day: an opportunity for employers to review their support
Meanwhile, health & wellbeing intermediary Towergate Health & Protection is encouraging employers to see World Suicide Prevention Day as an opportunity to review their mental health support.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection explains: “Awareness Days are an opportunity for employers to review how they support their employees, and also to help employees help themselves too.”
This could be through increased focus on prevention, building employee resilience, ensuring access to appropriate intervention and providing appropriate rehabilitation.
*If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out for support either by, in an emergency, calling 999, or by contacting a confidential help line/chat services which are there to help you, such as:
- Samaritans – a listening service which is open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.
- Papyrus (HOPELINKUK)– a 24/7 confidential service available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – CALM’s confidential helpline and live chat are open from 5pm to midnight every day.
- Shout – a free confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.
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